A local Indian band is petitioning the provincial government for an environmental assessment of development at Copper Mountain Mine, potentially interrupting plans of the facility91裸聊视频檚 new owner, Hudbay Minerals.
The Lower Similkameen Indian Band (LSIB) filed the request June 5, two weeks before Hudbay acquired Princeton91裸聊视频檚 largest employer at a cost of $439 million.
At issue is the revitalization and expansion of the Ingerbelle Pit, which has been in the works for the past five years and is expected to extend the life of the mine until 2044.
The band91裸聊视频檚 application asks Ingerbelle be designated as a new project and therefore subject to environmental assessment, a process that could take between three and five years.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 not about money,91裸聊视频� said LSIB Chief Keith Crow. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 about the land and its impacts.91裸聊视频�
Many of the concerns brought forward by the LSIB centre on the protection of the Similkameen River.
91裸聊视频淥ur river, that is the lifeblood of our valley,91裸聊视频� said Crow.
91裸聊视频淲e are not anti-mining. You know we will support the mine if they can meet the water quality standards that we want to see. They can work with us to make sure the environment is protected as much as they can.91裸聊视频�
Crow and other band members have not yet spoken with Hudbay executives, but said he hopes to arrange a meeting soon.
If the two parties can reach an agreement on tailings security, water, fish and wildlife protection, as well as reclamation issues, LSIB would be willing to withdraw its request, Crow added.
According to Princeton Mayor Spencer Coyne, who is a member of the Upper Similkameen Indian Band (USIB), the municipality supports the Ingerbelle expansion and will make an official submission to that effect.
91裸聊视频淲e stand behind our mine,91裸聊视频� said Coyne, noting the company91裸聊视频檚 significant contribution to local economies throughout the valley and its role as a good corporate citizen.
The mine employs 500 people, and approximately 75 of them self-identify as Indigenous.
A spokesperson for Hudbay said the company hopes to proceed with Ingerbelle Pit expansion in a timely fashion.
The New Ingerbelle Mine Continuation Project could be the next phase scheduled to be mined in the life of mine plan for Copper Mountain Mine.
91裸聊视频淭he Copper Mountain main pit already has a long life and a sizable resource, and if New Ingerbelle is delayed, we will evaluate alternative mine plans to ensure continuous and sustained long-term operations at Copper Mountain,91裸聊视频� stated Candace Brule.
The Ingerbelle Pit is a previously-mined area, and the new project calls for an expansion of about 16 per cent.
91裸聊视频淗udbay91裸聊视频檚 Copper Mountain Mine is committed to being environmentally responsible and providing prosperity in the communities in which we operate91裸聊视频e are committed to working with the LSIB and USIB in a respectful manner,91裸聊视频� said the company in a statement
Boundary-Similkameen MLA Roly Russell confirmed under existing provincial guidelines, an environmental assessment is not required for the Ingerbelle project.
But he added any individual or group can make an application to trigger that process.
91裸聊视频淲e have fairly diligent and robust tools to regulate industries91裸聊视频e have a good balance of safety and economic activity91裸聊视频ine operations are still (subject to) the Mines Act and the Environment Protection Act,91裸聊视频� said the MLA.
Russell said Indigenous concerns and input are increasingly sought and regarded under new legislation.
The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Act was passed in B.C. in 2019.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 essentially a filter that everything we do passes through,91裸聊视频� he said.
91裸聊视频淚t is front and centre of every conversation91裸聊视频t impacts almost everything, and I think we all recognize and see that.91裸聊视频�
Hudbay Minerals acquired Copper Mountain on June 20.
The following day The LSIB and the USIB issued a joint press release criticizing the operation.91裸聊视频淥ur relationship with CMM is strained and trust has always been an issue,91裸聊视频� said LSIB Chief Keith Crow in the release.91裸聊视频淥ur focus has always been the impacts to land and water91裸聊视频f the relationship does not improve with Hudbay, we are prepared for action.91裸聊视频�
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email:andrea.demeer@similkameenspotlight.com
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